-Caveat Lector- University Faculty Deny Allegations Of Anti-Semitism -UC Berkeley wants to divest from Israel dailycal ^
Posted on 10/05/2002 7:55 AM Pacific by chance33_98 University Faculty Deny Allegations Of Anti-Semitism Group Issues Rejection Of Harvard President�s Claims By AMELIA HEAGERTY Contributing Writer Friday, October 4, 2002 Twenty-one UC Berkeley faculty members signed a statement this week rejecting allegations that they support an anti-Semitic policy. The statement responded to remarks by Harvard University President Lawrence Summers, who implied that divestment proponents, who call for an end to university and national investments in Israel, are anti-Semitic. In an address to a Massachusetts church two weeks ago, Summers said "profoundly anti- Israel views are increasingly finding support in progressive intellectual communities," adding that "serious and thoughtful people" are advocating anti-Semitism. But UC Berkeley faculty members who support divestment denied their positions were motivated out of anti-Semitism. "We reject the allegation that our opposition to state violence by the state of Israel in any way constitutes anti-Semitism, which, like all forms of racism, we unequivocally reject," according to the statement. Summers was unable for comment. The statement was co-written by several Jewish faculty members, who said in the statement, "they feel an added responsibility to speak out against Mr. Summers' brand of slander." They pointed to their Jewish culture as evidence that their position is not anti- Semitic. "I grew up in Israel, and I know the truth," said Rutie Adler, a UC Berkeley lecturer. "The idiocy of calling people like me anti-Semitic doesn't even merit an answer. It's ridiculous. This has nothing to do with Judaism. It has to do with politics." Other faculty members said labeling divestment policies anti-Semitic hinders discussion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "It was an attempt to stifle debate," said Near Eastern studies professor Daniel Boyarin, who is also Jewish. "I personally felt (the faculty statement) was necessary because I think it's a dangerous situation when such a topic of racism against Jews is used in an improper way." But some Israel Action Committee officials said the presence of Jewish faculty members on the statement does not rule out anti-Semitism from the divestment campaign. "They say, 'We can't be anti-Semitic�we have Jews in our cause,'" said committee co-chair David Singer. "But they make anti-Semitic remarks and actions. There have been lots of Jews throughout history who have been anti-Semitic." UC Divestment, an organization petitioning for UC to divest from Israel, has collected 196 UC faculty signatures and 1,229 signatures overall since June. An organization opposing divestment from Israel, UC Justice, has gathered 539 UC faculty signatures and 4,272 overall since July. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
